CT Gantry Spindle Drive for Precise Translational Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computed tomography devices face challenges in performing scanning movements while maintaining the examination subject stationary relative to the surrounding area, necessitating a more efficient translational movement mechanism for the projection data acquisition system.
Innovation Solution
A gantry system with a first and second gantry part, utilizing a threaded spindle, screw drive, and motor to enable translational movement, combined with a spindle rotary bearing and claw coupling to compensate for misalignment and temperature changes, allowing precise and efficient movement of the projection data acquisition system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional translational movement mechanisms are used in the gantry, then the projection data acquisition system can be moved relative to the examination subject, but the movement speed and accuracy are limited and mechanical tensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is divided into two independent parts: a first gantry part containing the projection data acquisition system that moves translationally, and a second gantry part that remains stationary relative to the examination subject. This segmentation allows the moving part to achieve high-speed translational movement while the stationary part maintains mechanical stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded spindle with a screw drive acts as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the first gantry part. The spindle converts rotational motor movement into precise translational movement of the projection data acquisition system, enabling both high speed and high accuracy while minimizing direct mechanical tensions.
2Productivity
If high-speed translational movement is implemented, then scanning efficiency improves, but mechanical tensions and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling with a threaded spindle screw drive system. The motor rotates the threaded spindle, which converts rotational motion into translational motion of the first gantry part. This substitution reduces mechanical tensions and noise while maintaining high-speed capability, thereby improving scanning efficiency without generating excessive harmful mechanical factors.
3Measurement precision
If complex alignment compensation mechanisms are added, then misalignment and temperature changes are compensated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle rotary bearing is designed to dynamically compensate for misalignment between the motor and threaded spindle during operation. Rather than using complex rigid alignment mechanisms, the bearing adapts to positional variations and temperature-induced expansions, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding additional mechanical complexity.
4Reliability
If more compensation mechanisms are added for misalignment and temperature changes, then system reliability improves, but space requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle rotary bearing changes its operational parameters to compensate for misalignment and temperature variations. By allowing controlled angular adjustments and accommodating thermal expansion through its design, the bearing maintains system reliability without requiring additional space for separate compensation mechanisms, thus avoiding increased gantry volume.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-speed and highly accurate translational movement of the projection data acquisition system relative to the examination subject, minimizing mechanical tensions and noise, and reducing complexity and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the screw drive (53) is set up to convert a rotational movement of the threaded spindle (51) relative to the second gantry part (22) about the spindle rotation axis (5A) into the translational movement of the first gantry part (21) relative to the second gantry part (22) along the system axis (SA)
Data Source
AI summary
One or more example embodiments relates to a gantry for a computed tomography device, the gantry comprising an opening forming a tunnel extending along a system axis of the gantry; a first gantry part including an X-ray source configured to produce X-ray radiation, the first gantry part annularly surrounding the opening; a second gantry part supporting the first gantry part; a linear guide, the first gantry part is movably mounted via the linear guide such that a translational movement of the first gantry part relative to the second gantry part is executable along the system axis; a threaded spindle, the threaded spindle is rotatably mounted about a spindle rotation axis via a spindle rotary bearing relative to the second gantry part, the spindle rotation axis is parallel to the system axis; a screw drive, the screw drive is configured to convert a rotational movement of the threaded spindle.